Train or no train?

ginadog · January 2012

I am considering having the train removed from my gown. I am not sure what purpose it really serves. But everyone keeps saying, "You want a train for photos!" As if that were a really bad idea! I just have no idea if I will regret chopping off the train. And I've considered the resale value of it since no alterations will be needed in the body (only the length), would most buyers want a dress with a train? Apparently since it has to be hemmed anyway, removing the train doesn't change the cost.

I'm not too fond of the bustle look honestly, but if it's a plus for resale value, then I'll consider it. However, no train does seem more maneuverable for an outdoor July wedding. A bridal shoot comes with my photography package.

This is my gown (Casablanca 1769):

This is the terrain I will be navigating for the ceremony/aisle (tall grass, flowers, dirt and sage brush!)

lopezalonso · January 2012

I like having a train and couldn't imagine not having one. I understand not being fond of the bustle look but it is traditional. If you want to re-sell you gown I would keep the train because you never know what someone else's preference would be and if you chop it off you give them no choice.

If you really hate it you can have it removed.

ginadog · January 2012

I don't hate it. I just don't find it has a purpose, you know? I also don't knww if I'll regret having it cut off. "Tradition" is wearing your Sunday best actually!

I guess I'll keep it on for resale purposes. Sometimes I'm so dang practical. And my practicality is conflicting!

jagore08 · January 2012

If you're planning on selling your gown after your wedding then you should keep the train. It's difficult to sell gowns in the first place but then to take the train away, you'll be narrowing down your perspective buyers.

If you don't really care if it gets sold then I say do away with it if that's what you really want.

ginadog · January 2012

It would have to be bustled for the entire ceremony and reception. I'd only take it down to have a bridal shoot on a different day.

ginadog · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_train-train-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:8048ce32-642e-4a0b-a7c4-cbbe08cfabf7Post:a57feac1-ec95-4bae-8424-9c4622811d07">Re: Train or no train?</a>:
[QUOTE]I left mine down for the ceremony and then bustled it for the reception.
Posted by edielaura[/QUOTE]

I see many ladies do that, and I bet it would look very lovely! However look at my site. It's unmowed grass/flowers with sage brush and dirt.

ginadog · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_train-train-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:8048ce32-642e-4a0b-a7c4-cbbe08cfabf7Post:f8172ff2-6d0e-4470-b4bb-f77485918e48">Re: Train or no train?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hm. If you think you want to sell it could you do a second dress for the reception?
Posted by edielaura[/QUOTE]

That is an option, but I think I want to keep the dress on as long as possible since it's so lovely and comfy, not to mention I paid $400 for it and the ceremony is only 25 minutes long!

I'm have an appointment Thursday with a seamstress and we'll talk about bustles. It won't hurt to have one put in (installed?) just to see how it feels.

ginadog · January 2012

Does this look odd to you? I found photos of a used one and looks like they made the underlayer (matte satin duchess) all one length, but then left the lace as a train.

colstj1 · January 2012

I think the train is beautiful! And since it seems so thin I feel as though you couuld do a bustle where it is hidden under your dress if you don't like it. I just think it looks so elegant walking down the aisle with a long train.

avensong · January 2012

I may be the minority but I find trains to be a bigger pain than they are worth. As far as I can tell they are just there to hose up the works and make you more uncomfortable than you need to be. A good compromise might be to have the seamstress shorten the train to something a little more managable. You would still have it then for the resale but you wouldn't have to worry about disrupting the line of your dress and tripping all day.

random4180 · January 2012

Have you considered just looking for a train-less dress? I mean, if there's no alteration yet, you could probably get back what you paid for it (or close to it) if you resold it now. I do think if people were to search for that model dress and find that you had altered yours to not have the train anymore, it would affect the resale value a bit. What about having a dress made from scratch using that dress as a template? A good dressmaker could probably copycat that gown pretty well. My sister got her wedding dress made for about $250- satin, full-length, and with some beading.

To be honest, I totally get you on the train- my dress has no train and I love that I won't have a bustle! I even still get the train "effect" because I opted for a cathedral veil- a lot easier to remove THAT after the ceremony.

ginadog · January 2012

Well I do love this dress so much and it was such a great price for great quality!

It's the 3rd gown I've purchased, so probably not interested in finding a 4th dress. I'm starting to go in the hole a little bit!

melntaitt · January 2012

First let me say that I just love your dress! It's so beautiful!

Personally, I don't like trains and my dress is floor length but it's a two-in-one that unzips and becomes a party dress for the reception.

If you're really concerned about the resale value, I would try to keep the dress as close to the original product is possible; if you think it's worth it though and you really can't handle it, snip that baby off. It's not worth your sanity.

Plus, keeping a train on during the reception maybe a PIA.

meganb1977 · January 2012

I completely understand why a train won't be practical for you. But I think it's definitely worth going to your appointment with the seamstress and getting more information about what options you have to bustle your dress. There are different ways it can be bustled and you may like it better than you think, and then you will be able have the train out of your way but then leave it on if you think that will be better for reselling your dress.

I agree with pp's that by cutting off the train you might be reducing the potential to sell your dress because a bride who doesn't want a train could have it removed, but if a bride has her heart set on a train it would be difficult to add it back.

ms_teach · January 2012

I had a beach wedding and was 100% set to chop off my train until I went for alterations. She bustled it a couple different ways and in the end the under bustle (I think that's what it was) held the train and still looked really pretty. I decided to keep the train after that since it could be tied out of my way. It was much easier to move around in during our reception that way. Looking back at the pictures, there are shots where I wish I had gotten rid of it (or left it bustled) and shots where I'm glad I kept it because it looked so pretty blowing in the wind.

I think your dress would be every bit as pretty without the train as it is with it. I wouldn't let the resale affect you too much either. You should feel good about it on YOUR wedding day without worrying too much about someone else's in the future. I haven't kept up with the trends, but my consultant told me they were getting more and more dresses without trains in stock as well.

Maybe try some type of under bustle and see how you feel about it. Take pictures!

ginadog · January 2012

Low and behold, I read somewhere that all Casablanca gowns come with a bustle! I had no idea, so pull out the dress to check it out.

It's a one-point French bustle. (the under type)

I'll get some other opions from the seamstress and take in some photos. I saw a multi layer bustle that looks better.

(mtishawt & colstj1, I can't let the train out for the "aisle." It'll snag/rip for sure.)

FI also said don't let resale affect my decision. He thinks I'd probably want to keep it afterwards. But also said chopping it off could be a big risk with the wrong seamstress.

Train or no train?

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